What is Depression, Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

What is Depression: 

Around the world, 3.8% of the population is estimated to suffer from depression. Of those affected, 5.0% are adults and 5.7% are older than 60. The number of depression sufferers worldwide is estimated to be 280 million. A depressive episode differs from a mood fluctuation and short-lived emotional reactions to everyday challenges. In particular, depression can lead to serious health problems when it is recurrent and has a moderate or severe intensity. Affected people are often suffering greatly from this condition and are unable to function well at school, at work, and at home. Suicide is one of the worst consequences of depression. The number of suicides annually exceeds 700,000. Teenagers between the ages of 15 and 29 suffer the greatest number of suicides.

In low- and middle-income countries, more than 75% of people who experience mental disorders do not receive treatment despite the fact that there are known, effective treatments.  Mental illness is associated with social stigma as well as a lack of resources and knowledgeable healthcare providers. All over the world, people with depression are often misdiagnosed and mistreated, and people without the disease are prescribed antidepressants too frequently.

Patterns and Symptoms of Depression: 

A depressive episode is characterized by most of the day being depressed (irritable, sad, empty), or by a loss of enjoyment or interest in activities for at least two weeks. In addition to memory problems, individuals may feel irritable, anxious, anxious, or depressed, their spirits may be low, their self-esteem neglected, and they may have thoughts of death or suicide. The symptoms of emotional change expressed through bodily symptoms (stress, tiredness, weakness) can be more readily understood in some cultural contexts.  This condition, however, does not produce the symptoms described above. 

An individual suffering from depression has significant difficulty functioning at all levels of their lives, including personal, family, social, educational, occupational, and/or other areas. The severity and number of symptoms of a depressive episode, as well as their impact on the individual's functioning, determine whether the episode is mild, moderate, or severe. 

It's very likely that a person will have more than one episode of depression during their lifetime. This is an episode that lasts almost all day, nearly every day, and the symptoms include the following:

• Emotions such as sadness, emptiness, hopelessness, or tears.
• A tendency to become irritable or frustrated even over the smallest things.
• The inability to enjoy most, if not all, of life's normal activities like sex, hobbies, or sports.
• An insufficient amount of sleep or insomnia can also cause sleep disturbances.
• It takes more effort to complete simple tasks due to exhaustion and lack of energy.
• Weight loss with reduced appetite or increased weight gain with an increased craving for food.
• You may feel anxious, agitated, or restless.
• The movement of the body or mind is slowed down.
• An inability to cope with life, feelings of worthlessness, or self-blame.
• Having trouble concentrating, remembering, and making decisions.
• There is a frequent, repeated, or persistent desire, thought, or attempt to commit suicide.
• Unknown causes of pain and headaches.
• Depressed individuals often experience symptoms severe enough to make working, going to school, or having relationships with others quite challenging. Despite feeling generally miserable or unhappy, some people may not really know why they are feeling that way.

Symptoms of depression among children and teens

In comparison to adults, children's and teenagers' symptoms of depression are similar, though they can differ in some respects. Depressive symptoms in small children include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches and pains, refusal to attend schools, and malnutrition.

The symptoms of teens' anxiety may include sadness, irritability, negative feelings, anger, poor school performance or poor attendance, feeling misunderstood and incredibly sensitive, drinking or using drugs recreationally, overeating, sleeping excessively, and engaging in self-harm.

Older adults with depression

It is never acceptable to take depression for granted as a normal part of ageing. Many older adults do not seek help for depression because it goes undiagnosed and untreated. A person who is elderly may have different or less obvious symptoms of depression, such as:

• Personality changes or trouble with memory
• Pain or aches in the body
• Not caused by a medical condition or medication - exhaustion, insomnia, loss of interest in sex or loss of appetite
• Socializing or trying new things at home is often more appealing than going out to socialize or to meet new people
• Mental or physical symptoms of suicidal ideation or action in older men

When to Consult a Doctor for Depression:

Do not hesitate to check with a mental health professional or doctor if you are depressed. Rather than experiencing rejection, confide in a friend or loved one, a professional health care provider, your faith leader, or anyone else you trust. Depression can take many forms, including The person has been diagnosed with a single episode of depression. Persons with recurrent depression have experienced at least two episodes of depression. It consists of depressive episodes alternating with manic episodes characterized by euphoria, irritability, and overindulging inactivity, among other symptoms. These symptoms include increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, decreases in sleep needs, distractibility, and impulsive reckless behaviour.  

Preventive Measures and Contributing Factors:

Social, psychological, and biological factors all come into play in the development of depression. People who experience adverse life events such as employment losses, bereavement, and trauma are more likely to develop depression. Having a depressive disorder can consequently lead to stress and dysfunction, which can worsen someone's life situation and aggravate their depression. Depressive disorders and physical health have connections. Depression can be caused by cardiovascular disease, for instance.

Depression can be reduced through prevention programs. A method that is effective for preventing depression in children and adolescents is to develop positive coping patterns in schools. Parental depression symptoms may be reduced with interventions for children with behavioural problems. In addition to exercising for depression prevention, exercise programs can also benefit the elderly.

Depression symptoms may be related to differences in certain brain chemicals. Genes - Depression can be inherited. One identical twin has a 70 per cent chance of suffering from depression at some point in his or her life if the other has it as well. Depression is more likely to occur among individuals with low self-esteem, people easily overwhelmed by stress or individuals who tend to be pessimistic in nature. People more susceptible to depression may be exposed to continuous violence, neglect, abuse, or poverty due to environmental factors.

How to Diagnose Depression and Treat it:

Depression can be treated effectively. The type and severity of depressive episodes may determine whether healthcare providers recommend psychological treatments such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Bipolar disorder is treated with different medications. Antidepressant medication has potential side effects, and medical practitioners should consider the available interventions (specifying the expertise and/or treatment availability) based on individual preferences and knowledge. There are different formats for psychological treatments from individual or group psychotherapy delivered by professionals to self-help techniques offered by lay therapists under supervision. Mild depression is not treated with antidepressants in the first instance. Using them for treatment is not recommended for depression in children, and they should not be the first line of treatment in adolescents, who should apply extra caution when taking them. In order to overcome depression, you need to follow these steps:

• Enjoy time with family and friends.
• You can help others by providing service.
• Goal-setting is important
• Gratitude is a great practice
• Take part in fun activities
• Refrain from negative self-talk
• Practice relaxation techniques to keep stress at bay
• Meditation can be practiced
• Maintain a healthy diet and exercise
• A good night's sleep is essential
• Consult a therapist 

How Depression differs from Sadness/Grief:

• Loss of a loved one, losing a job, or breaking up with a romantic partner are difficult experiences for an individual to undergo. An emotional response to such situations is normal, as sad or griefful feelings develop. "Depressed" is a term often used by those who are grieving.
• Having depression is different from being sad. There are many characteristics of grief that are the same as depression, both natural and unique to the individual. Loss of interest in usual activities and intense sadness are common symptoms of grief and depression. Additionally, there are significant differences between them:
• Grief involves waves of painful emotions and pleasant memories that are often mixed together. For most of the two weeks, mood and/or enjoyment (pleasure) is reduced in major depression.
• Grieving people keep their self-esteem intact. There are some who feel worthless and self-hatred during major depression.
• The thought of "joining" the deceased loved one may drive thoughts of death when a person is grieving. People who suffer from major depressive disorders tend to consider ending their lives due to feeling unworthy of life or incapable of dealing with the pain caused by depression.
• People can be depressed after grieving a loved one, losing their jobs, being attacked or experiencing a major disaster. Grief and depression are often interconnected. Depression and grief may co-occur, resulting in a more severe loss and a long grieving period. 
• In order to receive the support, treatment, or help you require, it is important to separate grief from depression.

Depression Facts You Might Not Know: 

• Psychological disorders like depression are common. Depression is estimated to affect 5.0% of affected adults around the world.
• The burden of depression on the global health system is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide.
• Women are more likely than men to experience depression.
• The risk of suicide increases with depression.
• Depressive symptoms that range from mild to severe can be effectively treated.